LEHI, Utah – RSL head coach Jason Kreis knows what to expect when the LA Galaxy visit Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday.
Or at the very least, he has a good idea.
“I think we’re going to see a team that’s going to come out and press a little bit,” Kreis told media gathered at Xango Field for Wednesday's training session. “At Seattle last week they came out and pressed in the first 10 to 15 minutes and were high up the field.
"But you never know. Bruce [Arena] is a smart coach and can change things up on you pretty quickly.”
The Galaxy have played two games so far this season, tallying a win and a tie while scoring two goals. One player, Brazilian midfielder Juninho, has emerged as a genuine threat, scoring both LA's goals.
“I think [he's] a little bit under-appreciated in our league," Kreis said. "But after the two goals he scored in the last two matches, he’s probably getting a little more attention now. He missed quite a few games in the middle of the [2010] season and I thought their form dipped, and I thought it was not a coincidence that the two happened at the same time.”
As for Kreis’ own squad, starting ‘keeper Nick Rimando did not practice for the second consecutive day as he was having his right ankle evaluated.
[inline_node:331520]Rimando had been carrying a bone spur that appears to have broken away and is “floating” within his ankle. Ultimately he’ll need to have a minor procedure to correct this, but as it stands his ability to play simply comes down to his pain threshold.
Kyle Reynish, a fifth-year pro, could be called upon to take his place.
“Knowing the nature of that position, you’ve always gotta be ready, [whether] it happens in the first minute or if you get a few days heads up," Reynish said.
Defender Jamison Olave continued to run and workout alongside the training ground but did not participate in the drills, meaning second-year defender Chris Schuler could see action in his third consecutive game.
“They’re both questionable,” Kreis said of Olave and Rimando. “They’re both in consideration, and we hope that they continue to feel better as the week goes along, but we’re still too many days away to make any firm decisions.”
Kreis also indicated that the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League second-leg semifinal match in Costa Rica against Saprissa on April 5 may affect those decisions.
"That match is the most important thing on our plate right now," Kreis said. "It does certainly make us think.”
Defender Chris Wingert had appeared to be approaching fitness again after missing last week's CCL match against Saprissa with a turned ankle. he returned to action Saturday for the MLS opener in San Jose. However, he may have taken a slight turn for the worse.
“Not good, to be honest,” said Wingert, when asked about his ankle after practicing with his squad. “It felt great on Saturday. We’ll just have to wait and see how it feels in a couple of days.”
